Need help with choosing the right ceiling light?
Lighting and Lights are here to help! We’ll talk you through the considerations to help find your perfect ceiling light by showing:
- The ideal dimensions for your room size
- The perfect drop for your ceiling height
- The optimum amount of light for your room size
- The styles of ceiling lights that are available
Getting the right ceiling light is vitally important to lighting our homes. Choosing the perfect ceilings light can provide so much more than light to a room! When you get it right, it will help elevate and illuminate your design. We’re here to help you through the common pitfalls of choosing ceiling lights. Safe in the knowledge that when you choose your light, it will be perfect.
What size ceiling light do I need?
Firstly, let’s calculate the right size of light for your room size. This can be increased or decreased by 10% depending on your personal taste.
Width x Length = Diameter or Width of your light
It’s best to use feet and inches! But, if you work best in metres, we have put together a handy chart below. It will let you find the right sized ceiling light in an instant!
Example:
How long does my ceiling light need to be?
We’d recommend having a minimum 7 feet of clearance between the floor and the base of the ceiling light.
There are a few exceptions to the rule:
- Over a dining table: This can be hung at any height to suit as it will not get walked in to. However, be mindful of any glare that may occur and a top lighting tip is to install a dimmer switch here, so that you can create ambience.
- Long drop lights that cascade over 2 stories: Try and ensure that the light finishes at around the same level as the first floor (unless you would then be unable to see it).
See our helpful guide to work out how high you should hang your ceiling light, ceiling pendant or chandelier:
How much light do you need in a room?
There has been a massive transition to LED bulbs. They are more economical, as they require far less electricity to produce the same amount of light output. We therefore no longer use wattage as a reliable measure of light output.
LED bulbs are measured in Lumens and we’d recommend 250 lumens per square metre.
This can be spread out across the ceiling lights, lamps and wall lights to achieve the optimum effect. Allowing you to set the mood of a room, by choosing which lights you have on. For a brightly lit room you can have them all on. If you’re cosying down for the evening, just can just have a wall light or table lamp.
See below for our quick guide for the number of lumens recommended for your room size:
What are the different types of ceiling lights?
Flush Ceiling Lights
These flush ceiling lights have the lowest projection from the ceiling, so are perfect to use in homes with lower ceilings (or if you have very tall occupants or visitors!) They come in many styles that will suit every trend, budget and era.
Semi-Flush Ceiling Lights
Semi-Flush ceiling lights will drop down a little more than the flush alternatives, so are ideal for homes with standard ceiling heights, or perhaps over tables in a home with low ceilings.
Ceiling Pendants
Ceiling pendants are extremely popular and versatile. They can be classic and timeless, or modern and contemporary along with everything in between! They generally come with chain, cable or rod suspension which can be adjusted to obtain the best hanging height when you’re installing them.
Variations of Ceiling Pendant
Ceiling Pendant Clusters
Ceiling Pendant clusters were born out of convenience to embrace the look of the sought after single ceiling pendant with the added value of increased light output. These are now really popular to add a focal point over both occasional and dining tables, along with being used as a long drop over stairwells to light each and every step. These look really effective when they cascade down in an elegant spiral or if you have ceilings that are too long to accommodate this, you could use ceiling hooks to spread the light effectively.
Ceiling Pendant Bars
Ceiling pendant bars are fantastic to recreate the look of a row of ceiling pendants whilst only requiring a single ceiling rose. These are really effective over breakfast bars, kitchen islands and dining tables. They will evenly and effectively spread the light over the surface below. They can be adjusted when installing to suit your clearance heights.
They can also come as a single shade version which can help to create a sleek effect with flowing lines and a wide, uninterrupted illumination.
Rise and Fall Ceiling Pendants
Rise and fall ceiling pendants come in to their own with regards to flexibility over your ceiling lighting. They have a counter weight or a sliding weight, which allows you to raise and lower the shade to suit your needs. This works well if you have a dining table that doubles as a work-desk. You would be able to raise the light for a wide spread of light which would be ideal for working for a longer period of time. Then lower it for a more intimate light for your evening meal. If you team this with a dimmable bulb and switch, then you really do have the most flexible of lights!
Chandeliers
If you’re looking for a statement ceiling light, you could always consider a chandelier. Many people imagine elaborate designs, adorned with crystal and therefore too fussy. But in actual fact, a chandelier really can refer to any multi-arm ceiling light, available in both modern and traditional styles. You’ll be sure to find a style to perfectly illuminate your space!
So come and find your perfect ceiling light from Lighting and Lights!
If you still have any questions about which light you should choose, our staff are knowledgeable and friendly. Just email us or give us a call. We know how difficult it can be buying on-line. We can provide you with any information you need to help you confidently make your purchase.
